Toy rocket



J 1953 o. H. CARLISLE 2,841,084

TOY ROCKET Filed Aug. 30, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Orville H Car/isle INVENTOR.

BY MM 5% July 1, 1958 o. H. CARLISLE TOY ROCKET 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 30, 1954 Orw'l/e h. Carl/isle INVENTOR. d062 M M mqs 2,841,084- 7 Patented July 1, 1958 ice United States Patent TOY ROCKET Orville H. Carlisle, Norfolk, Nebr.

Application August 30, 1954, Serial No. 453,085

Claims. (Cl. 102-341) This invention relates to a toy rocket and more specifically provides novel and improved construction in a toy rocket, its launching ramp, means for retarding its descent and improved propelling means for propelling the rocket into the air.

An object of this invention is to provide a toy rocket having a tubular housing with one removable end together with a parachute folded within the tubular housing for permitting slow descent of the rocket after it has reached the upper limit of its ascent.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy rocket having improved propelling means, such as a combustible mixture together with a secondary combustible mixture that will expel the parachute out of the tubular housing and open it for lowering the housing in a relatively slow manner as thehousing is attached to the parachute.

Yet another important object of the present invention' is to provide a toy rocket having an improved means for propelling the rocket and expelling a parachute wherein the parachute will be protected from damage by the expelling charge.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a toy rocket having a replaceable cartridge for the propelling andparachute expelling means together with a folded parachute for placement within the rocket wherein the major portions of the rocket are reusable.

Other important objects of the present invention will be found in its simplicity of construction, ease of operation, novelty in construction, long lasting qualities, its adaptability for its intended purpose and inexpensive manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspectiveview showing the rocket of the present invention in position for launching; a

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane passing along section line 2 2 of Figure 1 showing the details of construction of the interior of the rocket;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the rocket of the present invention with the parachute unfolded and the rocket being slowly lowered to the ground by the parachute;

Figure 4 is a group perspective view. showing the parachute in folded condition, the parachute wrapper, liner and the end cap for positioning between the parachute and the parachute expelling charge and between the liner and wrapper;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken along the longitudinal center line of one type of replaceable cartridge utilized in the rocket of the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 5 showing a modified form of replaceable cartridge showing the two sections wherein one section is provided for expelling the parachute and the other section provided for propelling the rocket into the air and showing the means for igniting the expelling portion of the cartridge after the propelling portion has been exhausted.

Referring now specifically to the drawing, it will be seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the toy rocket of the present invention including a base 12 having an upstanding standard 14 removably positioned thereon in an aperture 16 wherein the base 12 and the'standard 14 form a launching ramp for the toy rocket 10. The detachable connection between the upstanding standard 14 and the base 12 permits the standard 14 to be removed and placed alongside the base 12 for shipment or storage in a compact condition.

The toy rocket 10 includes a generally elongated tubular with an annular plug 24 having an aperture 26 therein fordetachably receiving a replaceable cartridge 28.

A tubular sleeve 30 is positioned on one'side of the housing 18 for slidable engagement over the vertical standard 14 for guiding the initial movement of the rocket 18 thereby guiding the ascent of the rocket 18, as the rocket is forced upwardly into the air by the use of the propelling charge in the cartridge 28.

The cartridge 28 as illustrated in Figure 5 includes a tubular cylindrical housing 32 having a plug 34 in one end with a fuse 36 extending outwardly therefrom and a combustible mixture 38 therein. A plug 40 divides the upper end of the cartridge casing 32 into another com-. partment'and a fuse 42 joins the combustible mixture 38 with an explosive or combustible mixture 44 in the upper section whereby the upper section having the explosive Referring now specifically to Figure 2, it will be seen' that a parachute generally designated by the numeral 46 is rolled into a small cylindrical package with a plurality of shroud lines 48 wound thereabout and a paper cover or wrapper 50 is positioned around the entire parachute 46 and the lines 48 and positioned in the housing 18 after a liner 51 has been inserted therein.

7 An endcap 52 is provided in surrounding relation to the lower end of the cover or wrapper 50 and the end cap 52 rests against the upper edge of the plug 24 wherein the parachute 46 will be protected from damage by the explosive charge 44 in the upper end of the cartridge 28.

Extending downwardly from the bottom end of the tubular housing 18 is a plurality of peripherally spaced elongated rods 54 having outwardly projected guide fins 56 on the remote ends thereof for stabilizing the flight of the toy rocket during its ascent.

The shroud lines 48 of the parachute 46 are connected to a resilient member 58 that is secured to an edge of the rocket housing 18 by providing a knot 60 on the outer end thereof and extending the resilient member through the side wall of the housing 18. The shroud lines 48 are also secured to a flexible line 62 connected to the conical cap 20 by a knot 64 passed through an aperture in a ballle wall 66 integral with the conical cap 20. It will be seen in Figures 2 and 3 that the shroud lines 48, resilient member 53 and the flexible line 62 are'connected together by a connector 68 and the conical cap 20 and parachute 46-williower'the "cap and housing for reuse.

Referring now specifically'to Figure 6, it will be seen that a modified form .of cartridge28 is designated by the numeral 70 and includes a tubular housing 72 having a cap74 on the lower end with a plug '76 therein having a fuse 78 passed therethrough for igniting a propelling charge of combustible mixture 80. .A plug 82 is positioned in the upper end of the casing'72 and the plug 82 is provided with an aperture 84 providing communication to an explosive charge 86 used for expelling the parachute 46 from the housing .18. It will be seen that the expelling charge 86 is not ignited until the propelling charge 80 is completely exhausted. This arrangement will permit the'rocket, when launched ,in a vertical plane, to reach its upper limit of ascent and as the propelling charge 80 is exhausted theexpelling charge 86 will be ignited thereby exploding and expelling the parachute 46 from the tubular housing .18 wherein the tubular-housing 18 along with the conical member 20 will be lowered to the ground by utilizing the parachute 46. The expelling charge 86 fills aperture 84 and includes a small quantity 87 below plug 82 for assuring ignition thereof.

In operation, the liner 51 is first placed in the housing 18 for preventing the inside surface of the housing 18 from becoming charred and corroded by the action of the exploding charges 44 or 86 and then the parachute 46 is folded and rolled into a cylindrical package and the shroud lines 48 are wound therearound and the entire device is then positioned in the wrapper 50 and end cap 52 positioned over the lower end of .the wrapper 50 and the entire deviceinserted into the liner 51 which is disposed in the tubular housing 18. A cartridge 28 or 70 is then inserted inthe aperture 26 in the plug 24 and the fuse ignited after the-sleeve 30.-has been positioned over'the vertical standard 14. The exhaust of the gases formed by the combustible mixture ,38 or 80 'will urge the rocket upwardly into'the air and after the propelling charges ,38 or 80 have been exhausted, the expelling charges 44 or 86 will be ignited thereby expelling the parachute 46 from the tubular housing 18 and permitting parachute 46 to lower the tubular housing 18 and the conical member downwardly to the ground thereby permitting reuse of the tubular housing '18 and the conical member 20.after the parachute 46 has been refolded. Upon each use of the rocket 10, the liner 51 and wrapper 50 are replaced along with the end-cap 52. Also, a new cartridge 28 or 70 must be used for each time the :rocket 10 is used. It will be seen that the end cap 52 effectively prevents damage to the parachute and wrapper 50 that would normally be caused by the exploding of the expelling charge 44 or 86 and the liner 51 prevents damage to the inside of the housing 18 and provides smooth passage for the parachute, wrapper and end cap.

It Will be seen that the present device provides a novel and highly desirable toy rocket wherein the main components of the device are reusable and some skill will be developed in the refolding of the parachute 46 after each use of the rocket 10. .The housing 18 and the conical member 20 may be constructed of suitable cardboard 'or paper board or any other suitable relatively inexpensive material.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to'be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitablelmodifications.and equivalents may beresortedto, falling within the scope of the appended claims. I

Whatis claimed as new is zasiollows: V

.1. A toy .rocket comprising, ;a housing, rguide :"fins .on

said housing, propelling means in said housing for projecting the rocket into the air, and timed means in said housing for retarding the descent of said rocket, said timed means being actuated after the propelling means has been expended, said housing having a removable cap, a paper liner in said housing for preventing charring and corrosion of the insidesurface thereof, a folded parachute in said housing, said parachute having shroud lines, a resilient member secured to an edge of said housing and connected with the shroud lines, said resilient member absorbing the shock caused by the opening of the parachute, said parachute being extended into its unfolded condition by said timed means during descent of said rocket, said folded'parachute formed substantially in the V 7 form of a cylinder, and an end cap positioned on one end of said folded parachute, said timed means including an explosive charge for expelling the parachute from the housing said folded parachute having a paper wrapper, an end .cap on one end thereof for protecting said parachute from damage .by the explosive charge, said liner end cap and wrapper being expendable, said liner also providing a smooth surface for the expelling of the parachute, wrapper and end cap.

2. A toy rocket adapted for vertical launching comprising ahollow housing having guide fins thereon, the

upper end of said housing having aremovable closure cap thereon, a parachute, shroud lines on said parachute, means anchoring the free ends of the shroud lines to the housing andclosurecap, said parachute and shroud lines being folded .into substantially a cylindrical package anddisposed within the housing, a wrapper for said package forv retaining the parachute and shroud lines folded, an end cap for said ,wrapperforming a closure for the lower end of said package, a propelling charge mounted on the lower end of the housing, saidpropelling charge including a replaceable cartridge, the lower end of the housing having an aperture therethrough for receiving the upper end of the cartridge, said cartridge including a combustible mixture in the lower end thereof for propelling-thehousing, and an explosive-mixture in the upper end thereof, means permitting ignition of the combustible mixture from the bottom thereof whereby the propelling combustible mixture will be consumed before ignition of the explosive mixture, the ignition of the explosive mixture forcing the end cap, wrapper, parachute and closure cap ,outwardlyof the housing whereby the parachutewill be unfolded with the housingand closurecap being susthe housingon a launching ramp.

5. Thecombination of claim '2 wherein said housing is provided with a liner on the innersurface thereof for i providing ,a smooth surface for facilitating the expulsion of the parachute and protecting the housing from damage by the explosive mixture when it is ignited.

References Cited in the file of this patent I UNITED STATES. PATENTS 757,825 Maul Apr. 19, 1904 1,299,217 Pain Apr. 1, 1919 1,305,186 Bergman May 27, 1919 1,309,982 Darling July 15, 1919 1,754,986 Driggs et al. Apr. 15, 1930 2,344,957

Anzalone Mar. 28, 1944 Hadfield Nov. 28, 1865 

